The annual 4/20 at Hippie Hill event in San Francisco has remained an iconic staple and tradition for the Golden Gate City year after year, with tens of thousands of people from the Bay Area coming through to toke up and celebrate cannabis with one another. The event tends to become larger and larger with each passing year, but not in 2024.
Rather, Hippie Hill will look a bit different on the unofficial but broadly recognized weed holiday this year, as organizers recently announced that they will not be hosting the event on their website.
“Unfortunately, the 420 Hippie Hill event in Golden Gate Park will not be happening as planned this year—due to city wide budget cutbacks, the climate of the cannabis industry & economy we have been unable to secure enough financial sponsorship to get everything required for a safe, clean, city & state compliant event,” the website reads. “We encourage everyone to go support their local equity brands, dispensaries, and lounges on 4/20 as we all celebrate plant medicine. We will be back next year!”
San Francisco’s Department of Recreation & Parks confirmed the news in a press release and emphasized that the cancellation was the result of two key factors: economic challenges within the cannabis industry, creating issues with securing sponsorship, and city budget cuts impacting the department’s ability to cover event staffing.
While there won’t be a stage, live music or cannabis booths, the park will still be active for the community on 4/20, as the department has partnered with Volo Sports to run volleyball and kickball tournaments at Robin Williams Meadow, which encompasses Hippie Hill.
The first annual Peace, Love, and Volo Day is meant to honor Earth Day, with attendees able to register for a co-ed volleyball or kickball tournament ahead of time. Folks can also show up to play a game of cornhole, bocce or grass volleyball, and patrons are encouraged to wear “their most colorful, peace sign, tie-dye, flower power gear.”
“Volo is committed to building community through sport—we can’t think of a better way to meet and spend time with friends than on the field,” the organization states. “Whether you’re new to town and looking to make new connections or want to have fun with your friends, we’re excited to have you join us this Earth Day.”
The city has asked cannabis enthusiasts to avoid congregating in the park. Instead, the Recreation & Parks department encouraged those looking forward to the classic San Francisco event to celebrate 4/20 in a place that’s “special and local to them.”
“We understand the disappointment and hope to make it up with a great event next year,” organizer Alex Aquino said. “We encourage everyone to go support their local equity brands, dispensaries, and lounges on 4/20 as we as we all celebrate plant medicine. Additionally, we are inviting everyone to join us next month at Carnaval May 25-26 as one of SF’s longest running, free community cultural events. Wherever you go, be safe and be respectful of whatever spaces you occupy.”
However, that’s not to say that there isn’t still plenty to enjoy and explore in San Francisco on 4/20 and the days preceding it. The city will host the first-ever SF Weed Week from April 13 past April 20, featuring “a lineup of seven nights of seven top-shelf growers premiering seven world-class strains at seven world-class San Francisco lounges.”
David Downs, cannabis journalist and creator of the event, affirmed that 4/20 is “very much on in San Francisco” with “more to do than ever,” adding that the week of festivities will help to carry the cannabis torch into the future legalization era.
“San Francisco has the finest cannabis flowers, growers, and experiences in the world—we look forward to helping to write the next chapter for this marvelous city,” Downs said.
Thousands have flocked to Hippie Hill for decades, well before California legalized cannabis for recreational use. It became an official city-sanctioned event with security, concessions and fencing in 2017, and the event was previously somewhat infamous for some unruly crowds, fighting and abundant trash.
It’s not clear exactly what the city plans to do should cannabis consumers still decide to convene and consume at Hippie Hill.
